Magdalena Wulfekötter was born in Missouri to German immigrants Wilhelm and Johanna (Schirmbecke) Wulfekötter. After William Thiemann's first wife died, Magdalena became his second, helping him to farm and raise a family in Thayer County, Nebraska. She became mother to six children and step-mother to four.

The photo at left shows her with two of her grandchildren, circa 1921.

Her obituary in The Blue Valley Lutheran, a church publication, tells more of her story:

GRANDMOTHER THIEMANN

"Grandmother Thiemann has died" were the words passed around when our church bell on Dec. 13th mournfully announced that a member of our congregation had died. Only a few days previous while reading the "Missionstaube" this Christian mother and pilgrim who loved much and was loved much suddenly became violently ill, and though physician, children and friends attended to her with loving kindness yet in the following days her strength failed rapidly, until at about 6 o'clock on the date mentioned above she peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, at the age of 75 years and 14 days. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, Dec. 16th. After the services the body of the beloved was laid to rest in Trinity Cemetery to await the call of the Master unto resurrection.

The departed, Mrs. Magdalena Thiemann, nee Wulfekoetter, was born on Nov. 29th, 1854, in New Melle, Mo., where she also was baptized, received Christian instruction, and was confirmed. In the fall of 1888 she was married to Mr. William Thiemann and came to our locality and ever since was a devoted and faithful member of our congregation. Already in 1913 Mr. Thiemann preceded his good wife into the kingdom of glory above. Their union was blessed with six children, all yet living. Grandmother Thiemann is survived by the following children and step-children: Mrs. Johanna Brauer, Sidney, Nebr.; Mrs. Martha Horst, Sidney, Nebr.; Mrs. Lydia Poppitz, Willow Springs, Mo.; Mrs. Wilhelmine Hitzemann, Shickley, Nebr., and the following in our Friedensau congregation: Otto, Paul, Mrs. Marie Vinkenberg, and Mrs. Emma Vinkenberg; also 7 sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, 28 grandchildren, and one brother, Mr. Martin Wulfekoetter, Nashville, Kansas. All the children were able to attend the funeral, though one daughter, Mrs. Poppitz, arrived too late to see her mother alive. Lord, grant us a Christian death.